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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this, it was a quick read and that's good because I had a hard time putting it down. I own it if anyone wants to borrow it.
dark
reflective
sad
tense
Started this book around 10:30-11 at night. I just finished now at 3am. I literally could not put this book down at all. So good! I loved every heart racing second of it!!!
While Fracture had an intriguing premise, I felt it wasn't elaborated upon enough. There's really no definitive explanation to why she's drawn towards dying people... I mean, the book had a nice touch of mystery and suspense, so why the low score? One word: Delaney. I'm basically her age--a 17 year old who's about to graduate (well, in 3 months) and she was impossible to relate to. Admittedly, I don't know anything about survivor's guilt, but who sinks into a depression because they get one freaking B and lose their shot at valedictorian? I know practically everyone who's in the top 5% of my senior class, and although they're all brilliant and over-achievers, not a single one of them cares THAT much about being number 1. The person who used to be number one--I think she's three now, didn't sink into a depression, and ironically number 1 is a gamer. Also, an antisocial girl having THREE boys chasing after her? Yeah, totally unrealistic. And...
Spoiler
who sinks into a depression after someone tells her he loves her? If she's smart enough to be valedictorian, why drink vodka and take pills when that can kill you? (Fine, maybe she was trying to commit suicide, but the scene was so poorly explained it didn't make sense to me.)
This is definitely one of my favorite books that I've read this year.
I stayed up until 4:30 am to finish this one. LOVED IT. I was afraid at first that it might turn into the cliche love-triangle deal, but then it wasn't. At all. So if you get worried around page 50 as well, never fear! It stays just as awesome as the beginning.
By turns thought-provoking, emotional and creepy, this book keeps you on your toes. The romance is sweet, believable, and never makes you cringe. The MC Delaney is likeable, even when she's having her emotional/mental breakdown. All the emotions just felt very realistic in this novel -- from the parents to the best-friend-next-door, to Delaney's whole group of friends, to Troy. You understood them all, even the ones you didn't necessarily agree with or like.
I would've liked a little more build-up to the climax; it seemed to come out of left field at the end there. But it was a satisfying ending, with great symmetry, so I think it worked anyway.
DEFINITELY give this one a read when it comes out this winter!
By turns thought-provoking, emotional and creepy, this book keeps you on your toes. The romance is sweet, believable, and never makes you cringe. The MC Delaney is likeable, even when she's having her emotional/mental breakdown. All the emotions just felt very realistic in this novel -- from the parents to the best-friend-next-door, to Delaney's whole group of friends, to Troy. You understood them all, even the ones you didn't necessarily agree with or like.
I would've liked a little more build-up to the climax; it seemed to come out of left field at the end there. But it was a satisfying ending, with great symmetry, so I think it worked anyway.
DEFINITELY give this one a read when it comes out this winter!
Fracture is a quick read and is sure to please anyone who enjoys a darker YA novel, but this debut is most certainly not without its flaws. For this review I'm going to break the positives and negatives into sections.
Positives: Fracture tells a gripping story and the story is fast paced enough that it is never boring. Megan Miranda's writing flows nicely and is enjoyable to read. She approaches some darker questions pertaining to whether or not it's ok to end someone's life if they're suffering, and even goes so far as to question whether or not it's ok to make that decision for someone. I like that the novel focused on these questions and didn't get so bogged down with romance that it distracted readers from the issues it was exploring. I like the use of "To love another person is to see the face of God." throughout the story, and thought the relationship between Delaney and Decker was sweet and genuine. I loved Delaney's mother's story. I also liked that Troy wasn't made to be a sexy bad boy type. I imagine him being played by Ian Somerhalder and acting just like Damon on The Vampire Diaries; messy hair, abusive personality, pouty emo face and a death wish.
Maybe that appeals to some people but certainly not to me. I liked that he wasn't really romanticized or made to be the hero, and I applaud Megan Miranda for that decision. It's nice to see the stalker not turn out to be the main character's true love. I think it's unfortunate that books ever go in that direction.
Negatives: My main gripe is that Delaney was inconsistent as a character. One minute she is hiding from Troy in a locked room shaking in fear. The next she is hopping into cars with him. One second she is making sure her window is locked because she knows he is outside stalking her. The next she follows him alone on to thin ice. I'm glad that her decisions weren't based on romance (elated!) but it still seemed off to me. Delaney was also very inconsistent in her interactions with Decker. Her reactions to things often felt melodramatic and frustrated me. I mean, she did have brain damage, but a lot of the drama felt unnecessary. Another thing I took issue with was the character of Tara; clearly created to be your typical pretty/evil nemesis of our nerdy heroine. I had the same problem with The Body Finder, and I thought the stereotype was handled at least a little bit better here, but not by much. I thought her character was a bit cliche, and do not like to see slut shaming in novels. I wish she would have been given more depth or not been included at all. In fact, most of the side characters, even Janna (who the author clearly tries to give more depth to but doesn't include much of an ending for her character), were pretty flat. The ending of the novel felt abrupt, with too many characters left dangling, and the main issue of the novel (Delaney's mysterious new power) is never really explored. It felt a bit like wasted potential.
Fracture was an enjoyable read even if it leaves a little bit to be desired. I thought that as far as the romance was concerned it was a breath of fresh air for the YA genre. I'm glad this was my first choice for the Debut Author Challenge and can't wait to read more debut books this year.
Recommendation: Those longingly searching for an enjoyable standalone novel in a sea of series.
More reviews at my blog: The Night Bookmobile
Positives: Fracture tells a gripping story and the story is fast paced enough that it is never boring. Megan Miranda's writing flows nicely and is enjoyable to read. She approaches some darker questions pertaining to whether or not it's ok to end someone's life if they're suffering, and even goes so far as to question whether or not it's ok to make that decision for someone. I like that the novel focused on these questions and didn't get so bogged down with romance that it distracted readers from the issues it was exploring. I like the use of "To love another person is to see the face of God." throughout the story, and thought the relationship between Delaney and Decker was sweet and genuine. I loved Delaney's mother's story. I also liked that Troy wasn't made to be a sexy bad boy type. I imagine him being played by Ian Somerhalder and acting just like Damon on The Vampire Diaries; messy hair, abusive personality, pouty emo face and a death wish.
Maybe that appeals to some people but certainly not to me. I liked that he wasn't really romanticized or made to be the hero, and I applaud Megan Miranda for that decision. It's nice to see the stalker not turn out to be the main character's true love. I think it's unfortunate that books ever go in that direction.
Negatives: My main gripe is that Delaney was inconsistent as a character. One minute she is hiding from Troy in a locked room shaking in fear. The next she is hopping into cars with him. One second she is making sure her window is locked because she knows he is outside stalking her. The next she follows him alone on to thin ice. I'm glad that her decisions weren't based on romance (elated!) but it still seemed off to me. Delaney was also very inconsistent in her interactions with Decker. Her reactions to things often felt melodramatic and frustrated me. I mean, she did have brain damage, but a lot of the drama felt unnecessary. Another thing I took issue with was the character of Tara; clearly created to be your typical pretty/evil nemesis of our nerdy heroine. I had the same problem with The Body Finder, and I thought the stereotype was handled at least a little bit better here, but not by much. I thought her character was a bit cliche, and do not like to see slut shaming in novels. I wish she would have been given more depth or not been included at all. In fact, most of the side characters, even Janna (who the author clearly tries to give more depth to but doesn't include much of an ending for her character), were pretty flat. The ending of the novel felt abrupt, with too many characters left dangling, and the main issue of the novel (Delaney's mysterious new power) is never really explored. It felt a bit like wasted potential.
Fracture was an enjoyable read even if it leaves a little bit to be desired. I thought that as far as the romance was concerned it was a breath of fresh air for the YA genre. I'm glad this was my first choice for the Debut Author Challenge and can't wait to read more debut books this year.
Recommendation: Those longingly searching for an enjoyable standalone novel in a sea of series.
More reviews at my blog: The Night Bookmobile
I read this book in three hours. High praise at a time where I'm working full time and the fall tv season is just starting. I have no free time, and yet I couldn't put this book down. I actually enjoyed this story more than I did Hysteria, Miranda's other released novel. The downward spiral of everyone in the community, affected by the tragedies around them, was captivating and had my heart feeling for all of them. Although the romance was predictable, it was also realistic, something I find isn't always the case in YA. So yes, overall a recommended read. :D
3.5
For fans of The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting, The Dreamcatchers series by Lisa McMann and Forgotten by Cat Patrick.
Long Review TK
For fans of The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting, The Dreamcatchers series by Lisa McMann and Forgotten by Cat Patrick.
Long Review TK